By Tourism Industry Partner

TULSA, Okla., (January 17, 2011) – Cherokee citizens will now enjoy free admission to select museums and can receive discounts at all Cherokee Nation Gift Shops simply by showing their tribal citizenship card, effective immediately. Citizens of all three federally recognized tribes are eligible including citizens of the Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

“This is a chance for Cherokees to learn about our heritage at the museums and appreciate our culture at the gift shops,” said Molly Jarvis, Vice President of Cultural Tourism at Cherokee Nation Entertainment.

Free museum entry is available at the following locations:

- Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, 122 E. Keetoowah St., Tahlequah, OK 74464; open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., summer; and Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., winter. The 1,950-square-foot museum features exhibits in three historic aspects including the Cherokee National Judicial System, the Cherokee Advocate and CherokeePhoenix newspapers and the Cherokee language with a variety of historical items including photos, stories, objects and furniture.

- Cherokee National Prison Museum, Choctaw St. and Water Ave., Tahlequah, OK 74464; Opening summer 2011; The museum will allow guests to experience the history of crime and punishment in the Cherokee Nation as well as reliving the infamous Cherokee outlaw stories.

- John Ross Museum, 22366 S. 530 Rd, Park Hill, OK 74451; Opening summer 2011; The museum will act as a gateway to Ross Cemetery and serve as a historical site showcasing materials on Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation John Ross and history surrounding the Park Hill community.

Free museum admission does not apply to the Cherokee Heritage Center, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Cherokee citizens can also receive a 10 percent discount off their total purchase at Cherokee Nation Gift Shops operated by Cherokee Nation Entertainment at the following locations:

About Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism DepartmentThe Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Department is managed by Cherokee Nation Entertainment and was created in 2007 to promote the story of the Cherokee people. Efforts by the Cherokee Nation include developing guided community and educational tours, creating tourism partnerships and programs throughout northeastern Oklahoma, and launching a new Cherokee tourism-specific web site. For more information, please visit http://www.cherokeetourismok.com.

About Cherokee Nation EntertainmentCherokee Nation Entertainment is the gaming, hospitality, retail and tourism entity of the Cherokee Nation. Cherokee Nation Entertainment owns and operates the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, five Cherokee Casinos, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs, three hotels, two golf courses and many other retail operations in northeastern Oklahoma. For more information, please visit http://www.cherokeestarrewards.com.

About Cherokee NationThe Cherokee Nation is the sovereign operating government of the Cherokee people. It is a federally recognized tribe of more than 300,000 Cherokee citizens, with its capital located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Employing more than 6,500 people, Cherokee Nation’s annual economic impact in Oklahoma and surrounding areas is more than $1 billion dollars. To learn more, please visit http://www.cherokee.org.